NL East Notes: Wheeler, Teheran, Kolek, Phillies

Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler, who is recovering from 2015 Tommy John surgery, will have a minor surgical procedure to remove an undissolved stitch that remains in his elbow, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. The minor surgery will slow Wheeler’s recovery by about two weeks, Rubin notes, but it is not considered serious in nature. The lingering stitch was the lone issue that appeared on a recent MRI that Wheeler underwent as a checkup, and the test was otherwise “super clean,” per Rubin’s source. Wheeler’s target date for a big league return is July 1.

Here’s more from the division…

The Braves have sought a pre-arbitration bat that they can insert into the middle portion of their lineup in trade talks for right-hander Julio Teheran, writes ESPN’s Jim Bowden in an early rundown of some potential 2016 trade candidates. The Cubs were an oft-cited potential trade partner for the Braves this offseason, and Bowden again lists them as a speculative fit, noting that either Jorge Soler or Javier Baez could hold appear. Of course, in addition to the fact that it’s extremely rare for trades of that magnitude to occur in April, the Cubs are also still waiting to learn the full extent of Kyle Schwarber’s left leg injury. (A prolonged absence for Schwarber would make it more difficult for Chicago to part with Soler.) Nonetheless, it’s worth keeping in mind as the season wears on; Teheran is controlled through 2019 for a total of $29.6MM, and his contract includes a $12MM club option for the 2020 season.

Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill confirmed top prospect Tyler Kolek’s Tommy John surgery and elaborated on the injury a bit, as MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reports. “It was a complete tear of the [ulnar collateral] ligament,” Hill said. “They said there were no issues, that surgery went well, and now he’s on the road to recovery.” Kolek had been tabbed to open the season at Class-A Greensboro before eventually moving up to the Class-A Advanced Florida State League, but he’ll now be on the shelf for 12 to 18 months as he recovers, Frisaro writes.

After David Hernandez and Dalier Hinojosa each blew their first save opportunities of the season for the Phillies, manager Pete Mackanin tells reporters, including MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, that fellow righty Jeanmar Gomez is next in line for a save opportunity. “We’re auditioning,” said Mackanin, who is in his first full season as Philadelphia’s skipper.“We’ve got to find out. It’s a daily question. Why not Gomez? Let’s see what he can do.” Hernandez was signed with the idea that he could potentially fill the ninth-inning role for the Phils, and it’s worth noting that his second appearance was a clean inning with much-improved velocity. However, for the time being, there’s little clarity in the Phillies’ ninth-inning scene. (On a related note: fantasy players looking to monitor the situation and other ninth-inning scenarios around the league can follow MLBTR’s @closernews Twitter account for daily updates on saves-related news.)

I’m sorry, but as a Braves fan, I’d rather hold onto Teheran and let him build his value while benefiting from his pitching and go for someone more than Soler. From my limited perspective of him, I think we could do better (down the road), and Baez is not a good fit — we have enough MI-depth in the minors, while isn’t the contact hitter this FO generally likes.

That’s what much of this season is all about for him. He could retain even more value with a much better full season in 2016 and still 3 full. years of control for any team. Even if he’s not an ace, but a solid 2 or 3, his contract would still be attractive to almost every team in this market.

Tbh after watching the Cubs game last night when Schwarber got hurt and they didnt even put Soler in after his injury made me realize that Soler isn’t even their 5th OF. They instead put Bryant in left field. Soler’s stock is even lower then JT’s stock is. Soler is just wasting away on the Cubs bench, but no way should the Braves trade Teheran for Soler straight up. The game last night made me realize that if the Cubs don’t even have him as their 5th OF then they must not be too happy with his development

Based on previous Braves trades a deal might look like this: The Braves can send pitchers Julio Teheran (Better than Miller) and Jose A. Ramirez (Received in trade from Mariners earlier this year, better than Gabe Speir) to the Chicago Cubs for a package of (either Javier Baez or Jorge Soler, not quite Inciarte) and prospects Gleybar Torres, SS, #1 (not quite Swanson) and Carl Edwards, P, #3 (almost the same as Blair).

As a more Complex combination, Braves send Julio Teheran, Nick Markakis and Michael Bourn to the Cubs for Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Gleybar Tores and Carl Edwards. This takes care of the starting pitching and the outfield for the Cubbies.

Hahaha you think the Cubs would trade Baez, Soler, Edwards and Torres for Teheran, Markakis and Bourn!? What a joke!! Neither Bourn nor Markakis would start for the Cubs. Bourn in particular simply sucks. In fact if they were cut the Cubs would not even pick them up and you Brave fans think you are getting 4 top prospects. Too funny.

Also for those commenting that Soler is not even the Cubs number 5 OF …. Oh my God! Yes I saw on MLB network a few ignorant comments that because Maddon did put Soler in the game at the time that Soler is not even number 5? Hilarious. Use your brain people. Do not listen to TV commentators. Maddon moved Bryant to LF for the rest of the game. So you idiots think Bryant is the #4 OF? Wow … Ok …. Whatever you say

Am I the only one who thinks trading Teheran is a terrible idea? Teheran is an ace. Sadly he’s unheralded. Why? I don’t know. Apparently 1 bad first half of a season is enough to wipe everyone’s memory when it’s an Atlanta Braves pitcher. What else is new. Braves were top 5 in team ERA between like 2007-2014 (might be off on a year or two here) yet during that run all we heard was how great the Phillies were and then how great the Nats were in pitching.

And that’s fine. I don’t mind Braves pitchers not getting the attention. What I don’t like is the idea of dealing Teheran for the sake of dealing him. All the young guys the Braves brought in? Yeah that’s great. We’ve got great depth to build off of. But we have no real anchor to the pitching staff if you deal Teheran. He is that anchor. They legitimately need him, desperately. We can’t have a rotation full of brand new AAA pitchers next year, I don’t care how highly touted they are.

After they dealt Miller they basically chose to keep Teheran in my book. But my book doesn’t count for much and we’ve seen bigger shockers (Andrelton) so nothing would surprise me.

I just hope they don’t go through with it. It’s a bad move in my opinion considering the state of the team/rotation. At some point they need to consider putting together a team like they promised rather than just bringing in as much random talent as possible just because they can.

I don’t think anyone here, in the Braves organization, or sports reporters have advocated trading Teheran just to trade him. I don’t think any GM trades a player just to trade a player. .Teheran is good yes, but its a business. I continually have to point out what “we” as fans want or feel is irrelevant. Its a business. If the Braves can net something in their advantage for Teheran then trade him. There’s a reason Hart stocked up on pitching prospects.

If Hart can’t find a deal for Teheran then fine keep him. But remember our opinions are irrelevant as arm chair GMs

I am a Braves fan and Teahran is not an ace. He may be our ace but that is only due to the lack of better options. He is not consistent enough to be considered an ace. I think he could peak at a number 2 but more than likely a very good number 3.

With that being said I think the best option is to let him build up his trade value and look at a deal more around the trade deadline. I would love for the Yankees to feel as though they are SP away from doing something and be willing to move Sanchez for him.
But if not him there will be plenty of options to move him. I could see Toronto, Seattle, Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Rangers, Astros Angels and possibly the Royals all as fits if he can rebuild his value.